Module Title:Professional Placement
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 20
NFQ Level:7
Module Delivered In 1 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Students are required to satisfactorily complete their Professional Placement Programme. Each student is assigned to a particular faculty member during placement. The faculty member monitors the student during the placement, discusses the work assignment and maintains contact with the employer representative. The programme will have a lecturer in charge of the placement and supervision of students on the programme. Students will receive a one- week induction course prior to the commencement of their placement. While on placement the students will receive at least one visit from their academic supervisor who will be a member of the course board. These visits are designed to facilitate meetings with the employer as well as the student. Because the programme will be the responsibility of one designated person students and employers will know whom to contact in the event of a problem arising or if additional support is required. The students will find their own placement which will be agreed by the Institute. The placement must offer a Culture and Heritage related function that will be of benefit to the student. The potential employer will be asked to submit a job description for approval and the visits will ensure that the students in undertaking mainly those tasks outlined in the job description. Should it be discovered that the student is not being given responsibilities in accordance with the agreed job description the institute supervisor will either resolve the situation with the employer or else find an alternative placement for the student. Likewise if an employer deems a student unsuitable for the position alternative arrangements will be made for the student.
Module Aim: Placement is central to the programme. The placement provides opportunities for progressive, professional development where the student can reflect on, analyse and evaluate professional practice. Placement also offers the student opportunities for putting into practice, theories, ideas and activities generated in the taught elements of the course. In this way, placements provide experience and examples that can be used to link theory and practice in teaching methodologies such as problem-based learning.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Compose a suitable Curriculum Vitae together with the development of skills relating to the completion of a job application form
LO2 Apply academic theory to the work environment:
LO3 Develop identified work related skills
LO4 Be able to critically evaluate their learning from the placement
LO5 Enhance their career knowledge through experience in an appropriate company/organisation
LO6 Present an assignment on a designated topic relating to the host company’s activities
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Professional placement
The professional placement module has been specifically designed to allow Irish heritage groups, companies and organisations to develop and enhance their capabilities in terms of marketing and research in a very cost-effective manner while at the same time enabling students of the Institute to acquire professional experience early in their careers. The professional placement module is of twenty weeks duration. Graduates complete a one-week induction course at Wexford Campus in early January and are then placed with a host company/organisation in mid-January. The final week of the placement term is spent on campus reviewing the student’s experiences and evaluating their final reports. The students will be required to complete two assignments while on placement. One submitted in March and a final assignment at completion of the placement. The overall assessment will be on a pass / fail basis. A portion of the marks will be awarded by the supervisor for the academic portion of the marks awarded by the employer or representative for the placement portion of the programme. The first assignment will be agreed between the student and the supervisor and is dependent on the type of work being carried out by the student. It will comprise a report on the work being carried out by the student and the theoretical underpinnings behind this work. For example if a student is involved in organising the company’s stand at a trade show the paper may focus on the business to business marketing of the experience. Whilst on placement, each student will be required to keep an active blog which must be updated on a regular basis. This blog will archive the student’s experiences whilst also promoting the company or organisation in which they are employed. The student will also be required to organise an event to promote the company. The student will be required to promote this event through the publication of flyers and posters together with the promotion of the event through social media networking. In circumstances where placement restrictions apply owing to personal limitations, or when unfavourable economic conditions exist, alternative educational and practical programmes will be arranged for the benefit of students. This would be seen as a most exceptional situation and every effort will be made to ensure that students avail of the Professional Placement Programme. It is hoped that the college will be able to place students in organisations such as: • The Department of the Environment • The EPA • Local authorities • The National Heritage Park • The Dunbrody Centre in New Ross • Dunbrody Abbey • The JFK Park and Arboretum • Tintern Abbey • Wexford Opera House • Johnstown Castle and Agricultural Museum • Enniscorthy Castle • The National 1798 Centre • Hook Lighthouse • Wells House • Loftus House • Wexford Wildfowl Reserve • Ferns Castle • Wexford Arts Centre • The Ros Tapestry Visitor Centre • Newtownbarry House • Ballymore historic features (museum) • Duncannon Fort • Fr. Murphy Centre
Assessment Breakdown%
Project50.00%
Practical50.00%
No Continuous Assessment
Project
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Presentation 1,2,3,4,5,6 20.00 n/a
Project Pre-placement submission: CV and covering letter 20% Application reflection 40% Forward skills analysis 40% 1,2,3,4,5,6 30.00 n/a
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Final portfolio: Report 60% Log book 10% WBL elements 20% Placement host assessment 10% 1,2,3,4,5,6 50.00 n/a
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Tutorial Every Week 0.50
Total Hours 0.50
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_HWCHS_B Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Culture & Heritage Studies 3 Mandatory